Page 33 of Light My Fire

Let them look, in my opinion, but I saw her phone on the island, so I just go and retrieve it. She takes it and scrolls, then taps out a text. Then she sets her phone down on the hearth and stands up. “I need to go wash my hands, just in case.”

“What happens if something happens while you’re gone?” I ask, suddenly panicked.

“I’m just going to the kitchen. Let me know if you see a tail instead of a head, otherwise everything should be fine.”

I brave a glance at Henley but I don’t see anything other than her pink belly, thank God. I look at Wyatt, but he’s set a pile of wood and is now lighting the fire. I squat down and look Henley in the eye. “You’re good. I’m good. Everything is good here,” I murmur.

She stares at me with soulful brown eyes that melt my damn heart. Her tongue is hanging out, and she’s panting, but otherwise she seems chill now. Mom mode activated.

But then I see a burst of fluid and a white… something coming out of her. I slam my coffee down on the floor and yell, “Brooke, something is happening!”

She comes running over with a stack of hand towels.

“Is that right?” I ask her. “Is it supposed to look like that?”

“Yes, that’s normal. Puppy is on her way.”

I let out my breath and put my hands on my head. “Shit. Okay. Cool.” Then I realize the box is only a few feet from the fireplace. “Luke, close that door already. I don’t want any sparks popping out.”

He does obediently but he also says, “It’s five feet. I think it’s okay.”

“I feel like this should be a more sterile environment.” Mostly I’m just talking because I’m afraid to look at Henley. But then I look because I don’t want to miss this. When am I ever going to see puppies being born?

That’s exactly what I see. A tiny damp puppy. Henley turns her head and licks the newborn.

“Holy…”

“There we go,” Brooke says encouragingly. “Good job, Henley. You’re doing amazing.”

I’m honestly in awe. It’s astonishing how Henley knows exactly what to do.

“Whoa,” Wyatt says. “That’s incredible. Look at how tiny that little guy is.”

“Oh, another one is coming. Let’s get this one out of the way.” She retrieves the puppy and wraps it in a towel, rubbing its fur dry. “It’s a boy. Here, Jackson, just run your hand down his fur to encourage him to breathe and cry.”

Suddenly, I’m holding a micro Labrador puppy in a kitchen towel with mushrooms printed on it and it weighs next to nothing. I run my hand down its tiny length, a little overwhelmed at how small and adorable it is. His little head isthe size of a chicken nugget. I pet him gently down his back again, drying him off with the towel. The puppy gives a mewling little cry that kicks me in the gut. “He’s crying now. We’re good.”

I cradle him against my chest and decide right then and there once this puppy is weaned, he’s mine for the rest of time. I don’t care if Henley’s owners have promised him to someone or they’re going to sell him. I’ll pay ten times their offer. I’m fucking in love with this dog.

There’s immediately another puppy and Brooke hands him to Wyatt, who looks as enamored as I feel. Then Brooke holds her hands out to me. “Let me give him back to Henley for a minute. There should be a twenty-minute break or so before there is another one.”

I’m reluctant to give this pint-sized piece of perfection back, but I do. Henley starts licking the puppy and seems more relaxed.

“Can you go get Henley some water?”

“Sure.” Hopefully I miss the whole placenta thing.

“That one is a girl,” Brooke says, pointing to the puppy Wyatt is cradling in a cloth.

“She’s adorable,” Wyatt says. “And Brooke, you’re so incredible right now. You’re going to be an amazing vet.”

“Thanks.” She smiles at him as I walk away and I see it—the way they look at each other. With clear affection.

I’m notexactlyjealous.

More like I’m picturing me behind her and Wyatt in front of her and we’rebothkissing on her. Which would probably overwhelm her on every level. I need to focus on what Brooke needs, not what I want.

I need more coffee. But first I get the water for Henley, wondering if I need to go check on Luke. He’s been gone a long time and I know he’s in his head right now. But when I’mholding the bowl in front of Henley and she laps a little, he reappears, heating pad in hand.

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